We have all heard the expression, “never judge a book by its cover”. As human’s, once upon a time, long ago, it was likely a survival mechanism to quickly assess ‘friend’ or ‘foe’. Get it wrong, or being too slow at it, there was a real possibility it would cost you your life.

I don’t believe in today’s world such an immediate assessment is as dire as it once was. But do we still do it, and why? Sure, people are killed everyday at the hands of a stranger, and I would never advocate being naïve or unaware in your surroundings, but do you assess everyone in your day to day life with a strong first impression? Consider the following situations.

• The woman in public, dressed in a burka, walking with her husband?… Are we quick to assess judgement on how we perceive their relationship, her self-esteem, or maybe even the man’s views on women?
• The white guy with a shaved head who is covered with tattoos?…. Thug, ex-con, or white supremacist? With knowing little else, do we attempt to put him in box with a label?

Even in each of our own cultures, we have developed a spectrum of opinions where others fall somewhere along the line. I know that in the ‘brown skin’ cultures, some have the attitude that to be darker than your peers is less desirable than those with a lighter complexion.

When I was about eight years old, I remember learning that skin color mattered within the African American community where I lived. Within my own race I was often teased by other children because of my light skin and blond hair. They had many names for me that all had to do with the color of my skin. One of those nicknames was Cornbread. Laughing at me, they said the color of my skin was the same color as cornbread. Albino, High Yellow, and Half-Breed were other words used to humiliate me. Ridiculed for talking proper English, the African American kids accused me of trying to act ‘white’.

To judge a book by its cover is to form an opinion about someone or something based purely on what is seen on the surface. However, after taking a deeper look, the person or thing may be very different than what was originally presumed. As adults, what can be shocking is how quickly we are ready to make the determination of ‘friend’ or ‘foe’, even when it’s not a matter of life or death?

Speaking of judging a book by its cover, and on a lighter note, I bet some of you even do this when looking for a book to buy and read. The first thing that will probably grab your attention is the cover of the book. Based solely on the cover, you may decide whether a particular book is for you or not.

I was talking shop with a very well-known author several months ago and the topic of book covers came up. I noticed that in the twenty-five plus books she has written, that although every one of her covers were different, they all had two things in common. She made sure the position of the title of the book and the placement of her name were in their own designated spot on the cover. In addition, the font size and type were all matching on every cover. She found something that works for her and created her brand. Her books are easily identifiable just by the cover. You can tell a James Patterson or Nora Roberts book when you see it because of the consistent look of the cover.

Read more: Do We Judge a Book By its Cover?

EQUITY ON THE MALL 2019
CALIFORNIA STATE CAPITOL
MARCH 6 – 9 A.M. TO 3:30 P.M.

REGISTER ONLINE NOW!

Equity on the Mall is an annual day of democracy in action to close the divide between the San Joaquin Valley residents and policymakers. Organized by the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund, The Center at Sierra Health Foundation and community partners, Equity on the Mall includes a powerful program at the west steps of the Capitol with remarks by elected representatives and community leaders, music, spoken word and an equity platform on some of the most pressing issues impacting communities in the San Joaquin Valley. The Valley is Rising!

Hello from Your Volunteer Manager and Events Coordinator, Andrea. I hope your February is going well. Do you remember when I told you that on Dec 5th, 2018 about twenty-seven of us met at Dave and Busters for a fun night of fellowship, food, drink, and games?

We had a blast, and the General Manager at Dave and Busters decided that we might be more comfortable in our private room with less noise and more focus for our group for our next event. What an awesome and shocking surprise!

Thankfully, the time is here!!! We are so grateful for Dave and Busters offering us a room for our next event on February 13th 'Share the Love'. I think it is important for us to share love and positivity with everyone, especially for our family, friends and allies. Do you know what it would look like to have a room for 70 to be filled with LGTBQ and their Allies? I don't know either, but I would appreciate you helping me find out. Let us show Dave and Busters how much we appreciate their generous offer.

This won't just be a room with No-Host Wait Staff for your food and drink needs, but wait there is more. Haha! We will have music, door prizes, goodie bags (sponsored by my lovely parents), and a photo booth section with over 80 props. The picture booth section is for you and your cell phone. If later you would like your picture on the events page you can add it on your own at any time. We just don't want anyone to feel like our events are for pictures. We really want everyone to feel safe and have fun. Oh, we can't forget the fact that Dave and Busters will also have their prize wheel out for the first hour from 6pm-7pm with one spin per person please. Did I mention that all day Wednesdays they have half price games and discount drinks? It's literally my most favorite day to go! Hopefully, you're still awake and reading just a little more for some helpful event info. Ha! You can RSVP with this link or message LGBT Fresno on Facebook, if you are worried and would rather not show you're 'going' on the Facebook event. We hope to see you there!

Before I go, I wanted to let you know that our next, next event will be at the Fig Garden Library for the LGBT Fresno and Pink Panthers Movement invites you to a FREE movie night.

February 27th, Doors open at 5:30 pm, Movie Begins at 6:00 PM, Discussion/Resources from 7:30-8:00 pm

“A Kid like Jake”

The movie stars, Jim Parsons (Sheldon of Big Bang Theory), Claire Danes (Julia Vaugh of The Hours), Octavio Spencer (Minnie Jackson of The Help), and Leo James Davis (as Jake).

LGBT Fresno and The Pink Panthers Movement Fresno want to bring awareness towards the importance of accepting and supporting children who are exploring gender expression. Resources will be available at an informational table. Snacks & drinks will be provided (please, no outside food).

We look forward to bringing you more events this year. Let us know some ideas you have, and we will see what we can do. Also, if your business or organization would like to sponsor an event. Please email me at any time at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

February 13, 2019 at 6 PM – 8 PM
Dave & Buster's (212 E River Park Cir, Fresno, CA)

This time we'll have an entire party room, so there will be plenty of tables and space! Please ask at check in to be directed to the private room, grab your rainbow ribbon pendant and have fun and food with us!

Theme: Share the Love
1/2 Price Games & $3 Blue Moon Pints
If you sign-up for Dave & Buster's Rewards and get $10 FREE game play with $10 game play purchase – just for joining! (need to redeem prior to this date, no coupons/offers valid on 1/2 price games day.
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LGBT Fresno and Pink Panthers Movement invites you to a FREE movie night.

February 27th, Doors open at 5:30 pm, Movie Begins at 6:00 PM, Discussion/Resources from 7:30-8:00 pm

“A Kid like Jake” [2018].

The movie stars, Jim Parsons (Sheldon of Big Bang Theory), Claire Danes (Julia Vaugh of The Hours), Octavio Spencer (Minnie Jackson of The Help), and Leo James Davis (as Jake).

LGBT Fresno and The Pink Panthers Movement Fresno want to bring awareness towards the importance of accepting and supporting children who are exploring gender expression. Resources will be available at an informational table. Snacks & drinks will be provided (please, no outside food)

2019 Tranz Ball, hosted by Imperial Dove Court Fresno on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND - DOORS @ 5PM; DINNER @ 6PM; SHOW @ 7PM - at Fresno City College at 1101 E University Ave, Fresno, CA 93741 in the Old Administrative Building in the Sky Room. Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the door; $10 for youth (18 years & under).

The theme for this year's event is Through The Looking Glass: An evening of Trans - Inspired Disney characters. Join us as we watch contestants compete for the titles of Mr. Tranz Fresno (Identifying as male), Ms. Tranz Fresno (Identifying as female), Tranz X Fresno (identifying as both masculine and feminine; androgynous), and a Junior Tranz Fresno Title (Youth 20 yrs and younger).

Facebook event

Can somebody please pinch me! Is it really 2019? I have to say, 2018 brought me more excitement then I wanted. You know what they say, “be careful what you ask for.” Good and bad, I came through it all this year and believe I am a better man for it today. How much “stuff” was thrown at you in 2018?

I was once told that there are no ‘good experiences’ or ‘bad experiences’, just ‘experiences.’ Each experience means something, and it us up to me to learn and understand the value of the experience. Sometimes, I have found this difficult to do in the midst of what I once would have called a ‘bad experience’. Often times, once some time has passed, I am able to reflect back on the incident and say, “Oh I get it now. Had that not have happened, this (something good) couldn’t have happened.” I think a good expression to better sum this reflection up is Phoenix Rises From The Ashes.

Is it Karma, Destiny, Faith, or God’s will that moves our life experiences forward? It is an individual choice about how we choose to define it in our own lives. It does make me wonder though, what if I hadn’t been where I was on the day that I met my spouse? How much of my life right now would be different had we not met? I don’t believe I can actually answer this question, but I do see the beauty in my life because of the life we have made together. It was just one of those chance meetings, where two people happen to be in the same space, at the same time and something beautiful happened!

Many years ago, when I wrote my first book, I had no inspiration to be a published author, nor did I know I would be writing a second, third, or fourth book. I just enjoyed writing. Now, five years later, with the loving encouragement and support of my husband, I am publishing my fifth book! In the beginning, I had no idea this was to be my journey.

In my next book, titled, Escaping Camp Roosevelt, I tackle the notion of Rising from the Ashes. The journey is a look into some of the darkest and most challenging corners of the human condition through the eyes of a homeless LGBTQ youth. This novel manages to contrast the anguish of depression and hopelessness with the loving light of humanity and generosity. It is a story of one’s own journey from despair to finding love.

The more I researched and wrote this story, the more my eyes were opened to the magnitude of the problems of youth homelessness, specifically, the lack of resources available to the community of homeless LGBTQ youth who are living on the streets. Twenty six percent of gay youth who come out before the age of eighteen are kicked out of their homes and end up living on the street! LGBTQ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ youth. These statistics are staggering and alarming!

I didn’t want to just write another fictional story about this problem, I also wanted to do something about it. I believe that at the end of this very short amount of time that any of us have on this earth, we each should be able to ask ourselves a very simple question, “Did I make a difference?”

Although I am still in talks with various organizations that provide services to homeless LGBTQ youth, my plan is to donate the first year’s royalties of Escaping Camp Roosevelt to an organization that recognizes and directly serves our homeless LGBTQ youth.

I’m excited about this project and can’t wait to share more with you in the months to come about the organization I select, as well as how we, together, can hopefully lift the darkness from the lives of homeless LGBTQ youth. If you want to be a participant in this wonderful journey, all you have to do is buy the book. It is my hope that this is one of those movements, where collectively, we will make a difference in the lives of our community’s youth who so desperately need our compassion, love and support.

Finish out your year with some excellent LGBT cinema, here is our top 9 films of 2018:

9 Alex Strangelove

High school senior Alex Truelove (Daniel Doheny) has it all - the grades, the girlfriend (Madeline Weinstein), and the motley crew of hilarious friends. Everything is smooth sailing until Alex shares that he's decided to part ways with his virginity - and meets Elliott (Antonio Marziale), a sweet and confident gay boy who isn't shy about his instant crush on Alex.

8 The Miseducation of Cameron Post

The Miseducation of Cameron Post follows Cameron (Chloë Grace Moretz) as she is sent to a gay conversion therapy center after getting caught with another girl in the backseat of a car on prom night.

7 Disobedience

Rachel McAdams and Rachel Weisz star in a tale of forbidden love.

6 The Little Stranger

After a doctor is called to visit a crumbling manor, strange things begin to occur.

Read more: 9 LGBT movies that were amazing this year

From an engagement at NYC's Pride March to a professional athlete announcing "I'm gay," here are some of NBC Out's top good news stories of 2018. Including a local story from right here in Clovis!

SHE SAID, 'YES!': FDNY FIRST RESPONDERS GET ENGAGED AT NYC PRIDE

In the midst of the march— which included tens of thousands of participants and an estimated 2 million onlookers — Trudy Bermudez, an FDNY emergency medical technician, proposed to her girlfriend, FDNY paramedic Tayreen Bonilla.

COLLIN MARTIN, MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER PLAYER, SAYS, 'I'M GAY'

In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Martin said his teammates already knew that he was gay before he came out publicly. “It was so comfortable for me to then let them know that I wanted to take another step,” he said.

PELOSI GOES WHERE NO LAWMAKER HAS GONE BEFORE: 'DRAG RACE'

Category is: Washington realness. Nancy Pelosi will be appearing as a guest judge in an upcoming episode of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars."

Read more: 15 must-read LGBTQ good news stories of the year

The Big Gay Cabaret is back and it’s BIGGER and GAYER than ever
Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 3 PM – 5 PM
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Fresno, CA
2101 N Fruit Ave, Fresno, California 93705

We're raising money for Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival in June by showing off our own Pride! Come witness some of Fresno's most talented LGBTQ+ performers, along with a few of our favorite allies, as we sing and dance and act our hearts out, in order to raise money for a great cause.

Donations accepted at the door.

Performers include Alec Allnite, Logan Cooley, Lia Dewey, Michael C. Flores, Miguel Gastelum, Juan Guzman, Regina Harris, Christy Hathaway, Jeremy Hitch, Teya Juarez, Bill Knezovich, Terry Lewis, Nia Luchau, Chris Mangels, Jessica Meredith, Erik Olson, Dakota Simpson, Harley Sinn, Matthew Smoke, and Nicole Spate.

All are Welcome!

Join us for the first Qistory (queer history) community meeting. Qistory is working to record and preserve the stories and lives of LGBTQ people in Fresno & the Central Valley for future generations.

Come to the meeting to learn more about Qistory and how you can get involved.

Starbucks @ 741 E Olive Ave, Fresno. Tuesday Jan 15th 6pm-8pm